Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the Vitality Blast...
Fixture: Glamorgan v Middlesex
Venue: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Dates: Friday, June 18, 2021
Start time: 5.00pm
What's the lowdown?
Glamorgan suffered their most difficult defeat earlier in the week, slumping to 104 all out against leaders Kent Spitfires. They’ve put together some strong performances up until now but struggled against the firing Spitfires.
After a narrow defeat to Gloucestershire in their first game, they bounced back to beat Essex in their second. In their last fixture, they were beaten by the all-star Surrey XI. They are joint fourth with six other teams, which shows the dominance of Kent, Surrey and Sussex in the South Group.
Middlesex got the rough side of the DLS calculations against Gloucestershire, losing by two runs after rain intervened at Radlett. Ryan Higgins' six from the final ball of the 18th over put the visitors marginally ahead when play was curtailed, leaving Stuart Law's side with a single win and bottom of the pile after four games.
Who's in form?
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne has been at his brilliant best in this Blast season. He has galvanised the team with bat and ball, striking 248 runs and taking six wickets at an astounding economy of 6.76. An impressive feat for a leg spinner. Nick Selman has had a positive start to the Blast, scoring 122 runs, whilst Dan Douthwaite also has six wickets.
With scores of 77 and 67 in his opening two outings of the campaign, Joe Cracknell has been one of the few positives from Middlesex's Blast campaign thus far. Indeed, he is one of only two batters to reach three figures in the competition so far for the club
What's the team news?
Glamorgan: The south Wales club have named a 14-strong squad for the matches against Kent, Middlesex and Somerset.
Glamorgan squad: Chris Cooke (c+wk), Kiran Carlson, Dan Douthwaite, Colin Ingram, Marnus Labuschagne, David Lloyd, Michael Neser, Andrew Salter, Nick Selman, Prem Sisodiya, Ruaidhri Smith, Callum Taylor, Tim Van der Gugten, James Weighell
Middlesex: Stuart Law has named an unchanged squad of 14 for Middlesex's visit to Sophia Gardens.
Middlesex squad: Eoin Morgan (captain), Ethan Bamber, Joe Cracknell, Blake Cullen, Stephen Eskinazi, Steven Finn, Chris Green, Nick Gubbins, Luke Hollman Tim Murtagh, Sam Robson John Simpson, Nathan Sowter, Paul Stirling
Last five T20 matches (most recent first)
Glamorgan: LLWLW
Middlesex: LWLLL
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 10
Glamorgan wins: 8
Middlesex wins: 2
Tied: 0
No result: 0
Abandoned: 2
Latest Glamorgan news: Click here
Latest Middlesex news: Click here
What's the weather forecast?
Cardiff is one of the few parts of the country that will not be hindered by the impending thunderstorm. It will, however, be very overcast throughout the day. High of 18 degrees Celsius.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice's rolling forecast for Cardiff: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: The ECB are offering a streaming service which can be found here.
Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and daily updates from every Vitality T20 Blast match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Going to the game?
Tickets
This match is sold out. For more information on the Covid-19 restrictions in operation at Sophia Gardens, click here.
Click here to visit the Glamorgan box office.
Travel
Address: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, CF11 9XR
On foot: The most popular and pleasant means of reaching Sophia Gardens Cardiff from Cardiff Central Station is on foot. The final part of the 15-minute leisurely stroll takes you along the banks of the River Taff through Bute Park and the grounds of Cardiff Castle.
By bike: A popular way to travel to the Stadium is by bicycle and we are in the ideal location to do so i.e. via the Taff Trail which runs from Cardiff Bay to Brecon. The Stadium has 25 cycle parking spaces located underneath the Altodigital stand and 10 spaces by Gate Two.
By car
From London: Travel time is approximately 3 hours via the M4 Westbound.
From Birmingham: Travel time is approximately 2.5 hours via M5 Southbound and then the M4 Westbound.
From the East: Exit the M4 at Junction 29 and follow the A48M towards Llandaff. Join Cardiff Road. Sophia Gardens Cardiff is situated off Sophia Close which is on Cathedral Road.
From the West: Exit the M4 at Junction 33. Follow the A4232 for 6.2 miles and exit on the slip road onto Leckwith Road. Follow the A4161 and then turn left onto Cathedral Road (A4119). Turn right onto Sophia Close where Sophia Gardens Cardiff is situated.
Parking
Public Car Parking: Parking inside the stadium on match days is limited to players, officials and permit holders only. Public car parking is available in the Sophia Gardens Pay and Display car park situated within Sophia Close.
Disabled Parking: A limited number of disabled parking bays are available for every match day held at the Stadium and these are allocated on an application basis. For more details please contact reception on 02920 419 381 or info@glamorgancricket.co.uk
Park and Ride: Glamorgan Cricket do operate a Park and Ride service on international and other major match days. This service usually runs from Cardiff City Stadium to the drop off point in Sophia Close.
By train: For details of the regular inter-city and high-speed trains that run between Cardiff and all major towns and cities including London, Bristol, Birmingham and Swansea, please visit: www.nationalrail.co.uk
By bus: Cardiff Bus services run regularly between Cardiff Central Station and Cathedral Road (adjacent to Sophia Gardens Cardiff) Routes going via Cathedral Road include:
Number 25 Circular Service to Llandaff North and North Road
Number 62 service to Llandaff, Danescourt, Pentrebane, Fairwater and Canton
Number 63 service to Ffordd Berllan, Central Station, Radyr and Llandaff.
By coach: Regular high-speed coaches leave from Cardiff from most major locations in the UK. Please visit www.nationalexpress.com for further information.
Prediction?
Glamorgan have certainly played the better cricket in the Blast so far, and have a considerably better record in the head-to-head. Home win.
OTHER T20 BLAST FIXTURES: FRIDAY, JUNE 18
North Group
Worcestershire Rapids v Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Notts Outlaws v Derbyshire Falcons
Birmingham Bears v Lancashire Lightning
South Group
Essex Eagles v Gloucestershire
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